Nicholas Tonzillo, Jr

Nicholas Vincent Tonzillo, Jr. died peacefully, in the presence of his beloved daughters, Domenica and Giovanna, on December 21.

Nicholas, known as Nick and Nicky to all, was born in Paterson, New Jersey in 1951. The youngest of three, he was doted on by his older sisters, Frances and Patricia, and most of all by his “best friend,” his mother, Margaret. Nick’s boundless generosity and magnetic charm were formed from these early experiences of care from the women in his life.

His father, Nicholas Tonzillo, Sr., came to the United States from Italy as an infant. He would eventually come to own a thriving gas station chain in Paterson. Nicholas senior was determined to give his son all the opportunities that America could provide. And so Nick grew up in many ways a free soul, unencumbered by family expectations, and steeled to whatever life threw at him by his family’s love.

Because Nick was deeply rooted in his family and hometown of Paterson, he was able to be at home quite literally anywhere, with anyone, and make all feel that they are special. His first foray into the world came at high school, at Don Bosco Prep. He made friends easily and got by on his sharp, disarming intelligence that was never overbearing or arrogant. From his earliest days, he was constantly brushing up against trouble but would always, in the words of his sister Patricia, “come out smelling like a rose.”

Nick would go on to college at Seton Hall, pledging in the Tau Epsilon Kappa fraternity.

In 1977 Nick joined the Paterson Police Department. His characteristic good nature and lack of any attachment to authority made him a beloved figure among his colleagues and in the broader community. Only Nick could have gotten away with oversights like leaving his gun on his sister’s refrigerator, or wearing the captain’s hat out for a day on the beat. Such was his reputation that his mistakes just made him all the more endearing to those who knew him.

After the death of his parents while he was in his twenties, he began his lifelong travels. He spent time in Italy, where he left behind a car that may still be in a garage outside Naples and had a run-in with the authorities in Yugoslavia for camping on a beach.

Later he moved to San Diego and spent a good amount of time on a certain park bench where, legend has it, he came up with the idea of a betting pool on the next celebrity to kick it. He also obtained his law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and practiced law in San Francisco.

Nick eventually moved back to New Jersey with his two daughters Domenica and Giovanna to be with extended family. Here he trained at the Passaic County police academy, becoming a prosecutor for the county. He retired in 2010.

In retirement Nick moved to Maui, Hawaii with his daughter Giovanna to join his oldest daughter Domenica, who was attending college there.  In Maui, he met his beloved pug, Jigga and they spent the next seven years as an inseparable duo.  … Eventually moving back to NJ together in 2018.

Following his heart, he spent his last three months with Jigga in Italy traveling again with old friends until he returned home for a final time, to spend his last days in the care of his cherished daughters, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Nick’s abiding, all-consuming purpose in life was to see that Domenica and Giovanna were loved and cared for, just as he was. They were. And they are how he’d most like to be remembered.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the St. Josephs Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated.  On the St Josephs Foundation website when prompted for “Tribute Information” please put Nick’s name there.  The funeral home will notify the St Josephs Foundation as to who to send acknowledgment of your donation.